Romualdez: Probe irregularities in registration of birth, retirement visa

Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday ordered a probe into possible irregularities in the late registration of birth and issuances of retirement and investor visas to foreign nationals, particularly Chinese nationals.

- SHEILA CRISOSTOMO

According to ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, he was directed by Romualdez to initiate the investigation, prompting him to file House Resolution 1771 yesterday to seek the probe.

The resolution urges the House of Representatives to look into the processes of late registration of birth and the issuance of Special Resident Retiree’s Visas (SRRV) and Special Investor ’s Resident Visas (SIRV).

Tulfo said in an interview that they believe these processes have been abused, resulting in the influx of Chinese nationals in the country.

The lawmaker got information that the irregularities lie within the Local Civil Registrar in local government units, which allow late registration even under doubtful circumstances.

He cited that there were Chinese nationals given retirement visas even at the age of 35, while others got investor’s visas when they were only employees in Philippine offshore gaming operators or POGOs.